Department of Transportation 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-25-04, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000 engines. AD 2021-25-04 requires operators to revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of their existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program by incorporating the revised tasks of the applicable time limits manual (TLM) for each affected model turbofan engine. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-25-04, the manufacturer revised the TLM to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life- limited parts, which prompted this proposed AD. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action delays the original effective date and changes the version of FAA Order JO 7400.11 amended in the final rule published on August 16, 2023. This action also republishes the text of that final rule modifying Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to adequately contain all instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures at Alliance Municipal Airport, NE. This action supports the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

On July 27, 2016, in Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 1), the Surface Transportation Board (Board or STB) proposed to revise its reciprocal switching regulations. After considering the full record and the developments in the freight rail industry, the Board has decided not to pursue those revisions and to close Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 1). Instead, in Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), the Board is proposing a new set of regulations that would provide access to reciprocal switching when there is inadequate service. The Board will continue to assess what other action, if any, the Board should take with respect to reciprocal switching.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On July 5, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward seals were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This AD requires the replacement of the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Hamilton Sundstrand) Model 14SF-17 and 14SF-19 propellers. This AD was prompted by a report of an auxiliary motor and pump failing to feather a propeller in flight. This AD requires replacement of a certain auxiliary motor and pump. This AD also prohibits installation of a certain auxiliary motor and pump on any propeller. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces final actions taken by FHWA and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) relating to the proposed Mid-States Corridor Project in southern Indiana. The public is advised that FHWA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) which concludes the Tier 1 Mid-States Corridor Project studies. The ROD is combined with the Mid-States Corridor Project Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by FHWA and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

The FHWA is withdrawing the notice, ``Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection,'' published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2023.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Spanish Fork Municipal Airport/Woodhouse Field, Spanish Fork, UT.

The purpose of this notice is to publish DOT's application submission requirements and application review procedures to select national and State, Tribal, or regional capacity builders to provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to communities through cooperative agreements with DOT, as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On November 14, 2022, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for an information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DOT OST announces a meeting of ACTE, which will take place via videoconference.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by an uncommanded flap extension accompanied by a flaps fail caution message during climb. This AD requires initial and repetitive operational tests of the flap control system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a high number of events related to stall warnings upon landing, following introduction of the ice speed function within the stall warning system. This AD requires modification of the stall warning/identification system, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the opportunity to apply for approximately $1 billion in FY 2024 discretionary funds for the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), Public Law 117-58, herein referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The purpose of the ATP is to make annual grants available to eligible airports for airport terminal and airport-owned Airport Traffic Control Towers development projects that address the aging infrastructure of our nation's airports. In addition, ATP grants will align with DOT's Strategic Framework FY2022-2026 at https://www.transportation.gov/administrations/office- policy/fy2022-2026-strategic-frameworkhttps://www.transportat ion.gov/ administrations/office-policy/fy2022-2026-strategic-framework . The FY 2024 ATP will be implemented consistent with law and in alignment with the priorities in Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (86 FR 64355), which are to invest efficiently and equitably; promote the competitiveness of the U.S. economy; improve job opportunities by focusing on high labor standards; strengthen infrastructure resilience to all hazards including climate change; and to effectively coordinate with State, local, Tribal, and territorial government partners.

The FAA is withdrawing the July 2021 ROD for the Project. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has notified the FAA of its intent to terminate the Project and pursue alternative access improvements to LGA. Accordingly, the components identified in the LGA Access Improvement Project ROD are no longer needed at this time. Following the issuance of the ROD, New York Governor Kathy Hochul tasked the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with reexamining alternative mass transit options to LGA. The resulting recommendations from the corresponding study identified improvements to an existing bus service and construction of a new non-stop airport shuttle service. On July 20, 2023, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as the airport sponsor, notified the FAA of its intent to officially abandon the Project as approved by the FAA's ROD in favor of pursuing the recommended bus service and shuttle improvements. In response to this decision, the FAA has withdrawn the ROD for the LGA Access Improvement Project. Accordingly, all approvals for FAA actions within the ROD are also withdrawn. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey must reinitiate any requests for FAA review and approval as necessary for all aspects of the Project contained within the now-withdrawn ROD should it wish to proceed with any component of the Project, in part or as a whole.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by damage found on two power-feeder harnesses due to chafing with wheel bins. An investigation found that the power-feeder harnesses were not adequately supported to protect from chafing due to vibration. This proposed AD would require modifying the variable frequency generator (VFG) power- feeder harness routing, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.